Container and method of making the same or the like



June 8, 1965 w. E. CHEELEY 3,187,932

CONTAINER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. 4. 1961 & INVENTOR. /V I// I// I 7 M M E. CHEELEY 32 WILLIA37 BY dld, 38' I I HIS ATT RNEYS FIG-5 June 1965 w. s. CHEELEY 3,187,932

CONTAINER AND IETHOD OF MAKING THE SAME OR THE LIKE Filed Oct. 4, m1 4Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-6.

65 BY I 1 HIS ATTORNEYS June 8, 1965 w. E. CHEELEY 3,137,932

CONTAINER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME OR THE LIKE Filed 001;. 4, 19614 Sheets-Sheet 3 77 78 7a 82 MW 5 H A FIG-l5 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM E. CHEELEY BY 9%4, W4

HIS ATTORNEYS June 8, 1965 w. E. C-HEELEY 3,187,932 CONTAINER AND METHODOF MAKING THE SAME OR THE LIKE Filed Oct. 4. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 97 I27 1 280 300 ,23 98 99 96 v///;/l ///7 /2|), 1 I I I 1 \x L L n2 4lo 94440 FIG- I? m u: 1 G. D Ill I Q FIG-l9 INVENTOR. WILLIAM E. CHEELEY BY ZJ4 %7Z%0 HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,187,932 CONTAINER ANDMETHOD OF MAKING THE SAME OR THE LIKE William E. Cheeley, ChesterfieldCounty, Va., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., acorporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 4, 1961, Ser. No. 142,960 10 Claims.(Cl. 220-54) This invention relates to improved containers havingimproved opening means. This invention also relates to improved methodsfor making such containers or the like.

Heretofore, metallic containers and the like have been provided withvarious means for'permitting the ultimate consumer to readily open thecontainer while still permitting the product of the container to beinitially hermetically sealed or vacuum packaged in the container toprevent product spoilage, flavor loss and the like. One such prior knownmeans comprises a tear strip or portion formed in the container byweakening the wall of the container around the perimeter of the tearstrip or portion, such as by scoring or the like.

However, in order to permit removal of the'tear strip or portion, a tabis integrally formed or separately secured to one end of the tear stripor portion to provide means for winding up the tear portion on a key orthe like or to provide means for manually pulling the tear portion fromthe container wall.

When the tab is formed separately and subsequently secured to the tearportion, it has been found that it is relatively difficult to causeinitial separation of the leading end of the tear strip or portionbecause the same is integrally secured to the container wall or thelike.

' However, according to the teachings of this invention, an improved tabmeans is provided for such tear strips or portions and readily permitsthe leading end of a tear strip or portion to be pulled free of thecontainer wall or the like so that the remainder of the tear portion orstrip can be removed from the container.

Further, this invention provides improved opening means for shaker-typedispensing containers and the like.

Therefore, it is an object of this inventionto provide an improvedcontainer or the like having one or more of the novel features of thisinvention as set forth above and hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method formaking such a container or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an improved container ofthis invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 and illustrates the method ofinitially opening the same.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 and illustrates the container ina more fully opened position thereof.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 with the tab means thereofremoved to more fully illustrate the configuration of the tear strip ofthis invention.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of an apparatus of thisinvention for forming the opening means of the container of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of thecontainer illustrated in FIGURE 1 and is taken on line 66 thereof.

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of another container of this invention.

FIGURE 8 is a View similar to FIGURE 7 with the tab means removed tomore fully illustrate the configuration of the tear strip of thisinvention.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of thecontainer illustrated in FIGURE 7 and is taken on line 9-9 thereof.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the apparatusfor forming the container structure illustrated in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating anothercontainer of this invention.

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view of the container illustrated inFIGURE 11 and is taken on line 12-12 thereof.

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 12 and illustrates the method ofinitially opening the container.

FIGURE 14 is a top plan view of another container of this invention.

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of thecontainer illustrated in FIGURE 14 and is taken on line 15-15 thereof.

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the method ofinitially opening the container of FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 17 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 illustrating another embodimentof this invention.

FIGURE 18 is a view similar to FIGURE 9 and illustrates anotherembodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 19 is a top plan view of another container of this invention.

FIGURE 20 is a cross-sectional view taken on 20-20 of FIGURE 19.

FIGURE 21 is a view similar to FIGURE 19 and illustrates anothercontainer of this invention.

FIGURE 22 is a cross-sectional View of FIGURE 21 and is taken on line22-22 thereof.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter describedand illustrated as being formed in the wall of an end closure of acontainer or the like, it is to be understood that the opening means ofthis invention could be provided in other walls of the container, asdesired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsthereof illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merelyutilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of thisinvention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an improved container of this invention isgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 20 and comprises asubstantially cylindrical container body 21 having the opposed open endsthereof closed, by suitable end closures 22 in a manner well known linein the art.

, One of the end closures 22 has a wall 23 provided with a continuoustear strip or portion 24 defined by weakening the wall 23 along theconcentric circles 25 and 26, such as by scoring the interior orexterior surface of the wall 23.

A pull tab 27 of thise invention is interconnected to the tear strip 24and is adapted to pull the tear strip 24 from the container 20 in themanner illustrated in FIG- URES 2 and 3 to initially open the container20.

In particular, the end closure 22 has a slot means 28, FIGURE 4, formedin the wall 23 in such a manner that the slot means 28 defines a freeend 29 of the tear strip 24. Preferably, the slot means 28 extendscompletely across the width of the tear strip 24 and has a substantiallyV-shaped configuration.

An opening 30 is formed in the tear strip 24 closely adjacent the freeend 29 thereof, the opening 30 being disposed well within the scores 25and 26 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Either before the end closure 22 is secured to the Patented June 8, 1965J container or thereafter, the tab means 27 is formed on the end closure22 by injectingsuitable sealing means against the end closure 22 that isdisposed in the apparatus of FIGURE 5. For example, the sealing meansforming the tab means 27 can comprise polyethylene or the like.

The apparatus 31 comprises a pair of die members 32 and 33, thediemember 32 having a surface 34 interrupted by a pair of cavities 35 and36. The cavities 35 and 36 are so constructed and arranged that the sameare adapted to be disposed adjacent the slot means 28 and opening 30 inthe end closure 22 when the end closure 22 is disposed against thesurface 34 of the die member 32 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 5.

The die member 33 has an end surface 37 that mates with the surface 34of the die member 32 and is interrupted by a cavity 38 which mates withthecavities 35 and 36 of the die member 32 and is so constructed andarranged that the same defines the tab means 27 in the configurationillustrated in FIGURE 1. A passage means 39 is formed in the die member33 and is interconnected to the cavity 38 whereby the sealing means canbe forced through the passage means 39 under pressure to fill thecavities 38, 35 and 36 of the die members 33 and 32 in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 5.

For example, when the sealing means 40 comprises polyethylene or thelike, the sealing means 40 is heated to approximately 275 to 300 F. torender the same relatively plastic and is forced through the passagemeans 39 under several tons of pressure whereby the sealing meansflowsinto the cavity 38 and has a portion 41 thereof disposed in the slotmeans 28 and interconnected to an enlarged portion 42 disposed on theother side of the end closure blank 22 and formed by the cavity 35.Similarly, a portion 43. of the sealing means 40 is disposed in theopening 30 of the end closure 22 and is interconnected to an enlargedportion 44 disposed on the other side of the end closure 22 and formedby the cavity 36.

. Since the sealing means 40 is placed under several tons of pressure inthe apparatus 31, the portions 41 and 43 thereof disposed respectivelyin the slot means 28 and opening 30 are compressed against boundingedges of the wall 23 to substantially hermetically seal the portions 41and 43 in the slot means 28 and opening 3) whereby the end closure 22can be subsequently utilized to hermetically seal or vacuum package adesired product within the container 20 in a manner well known in theart.

After the sealing means solidifies, the end closure 22 andinterconnected tab means 27 are removed from the apparatus 31 and can beutilized to form the container 20 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1.

When it is desired to open the container 20, the handle portion 45 ofthe tab means 27 is manually grasped and pulled upwardly relative to thecontainer 20 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2 whereby the enlargedbut also the tab means 27 hermetically seals closed the slot means 28and opening 30 so that the end closure 22 can be utilized tohermetically seal or vacuum package the products within the container20.

Since the end closure 22 must be placed in the apparatus 31 in theproper rotational position thereof so that the tab means 27 can beformed at the slot means 28 and opening 30 thereof, another embodimentof this invention is provided wherein the end closure carrying theopening means of this invention can be disposed in any desiredrotational position in an apparatus of this invention to form thepulling tab means without requiring proper positioning of the endclosure in the apparatus.

In particular, an end closure 46 is illustrated in FIG- URE 7 andcomprises a wall 47 having a tear strip 48 formed therein and defined bya pair of scores 49 and 50, a portion 51 of the tear strip 48 definingsubstantially continuous circular structure having a leading portion 52spiraling or curving into the center of the circular portion 51'thereofin the manner illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8.

A tabmeans 53 is interconnected to the leading portion 52 of the tearstrip 48 at the center of the circular portion 51 thereof in a mannerhereinafter described whereby the pulling tab can be manually graspedand pulled relative to the end closure 46 to unwind the tear strip 48and open the wall 47 of the end closure 46 in substantially the samemanner as illustrated in FIG- URES 2 and 3.

As illustrated in FIGURE 8, the end closure 46 originally has a slotmeans 54 formed in the wall 47 thereof, the slot means 54 defining anenlarged free end 55 of the leading portion 52 of the tear strip 48 fora purpose hereinafter described.

Preferably, the slot means 54 is substantially circular and has itscenter superimposed on the center of the circular portion 51 0f the tearstrip 48.

An opening 56 is formed in the free end 55 of the tear strip 48 at thecenter of the circular portion 5 1 of the tear strip 48.

In this manner, the end closure blank 46 formed in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 8 can be subsqeuently d-isposed in the apparatus57 of this invention as illustrated in FIGURE 10 in any desiredrotational position therein to form the tab means 53 in a mannerhereinafter de scribed, because the tab means 53 need not project acrossthe end closure 46 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 7 portion 42 ofthe tab means 27 pulls out of the slot means 28 and carries the free end29 of the tear strip 24 therewith.

Further movement of the tab means 27 away from the container 20 causesthe tear strip 27 to separate along the score lines 25 and 26 in themanner illustrated in FIGURE 3 whereby the tear strip 24 can becompletely removed from the wall 23 of the container 20 to open thecontainer 20.

Since the tab means 27 is permanently interconnected to the tear strip24 by the portions 43 and 44 thereof, the tab means 27 is adapted tofully pull the tear strip 24 from the container 20 in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 3. I

Therefore, it can be seen that not only does the tab means 27 permit afree end of the tear strip 24 to be pro-formed so that the tear strip 24can be initially separated from the container 20 with a minimum ofeffort,

as the same may be disposed at any position relative thereto as long asthe attaching end 58 of the tab 53 is disposed at the center of thecircular portion 5 1 of the tear strip 48.

The apparatus 57 comprises a pair of die members 59 and 60, the diemember 59 having a surface 61 interrupted by a cavity 62 and an annularcavity 63 which surrounds the cavity 62.

An annular flange 64 projects upwardly from the surface 61 of the diemember 58 whereby the end closure blank 46 is adapted to be held in theproper position by the flange 64 so that the opening 56 in the free end55 of the tear strip 48 is disposed adjacent the cavity 62 while theslot means 54 is disposed adjacent the annular cavity 63 regardless ofthe rotational position of the end closure 46 relative to the die member59.

The die member 60 has a surface 65 that mates with the surface 61 of thedie member 59, the surface 65 being interrupted by a cavity 66 whichdefines the desired configuration of the tab means 53 as illustrated inFIGURE 7 and mates with the cavities 62 and63 of the die member 59.

A passage means 67 if formed in the die member 60 to convey the sealingmeans 68 to the cavities 66, 63 and 62 of the die members 60 and 59 insubstantially the same manner as the apparatus 31 whereby the sealingmeans 68 can be forced under pressure into the cavities 66, 63 and 62.

A portion 69 of the sealing means 68 is disposed in the opening 56 ofthe end closure 46 and is interconnected to an enlarged portion 70 ofthe tab 53 which is disposed on the other side of the end closure fromthe tab 53 and tormed by the cavity 62 to permanently interconnect theplaced under compression against the bounding edges of" the slot means54 and opening 56, the portions 69 and 71 'are hermetically sealed inthe slot means 54 and opening '56. i

In this manner, the end closure 46 can be utilized to hermetically sealor vacuum package a product in a con- 'ta-iner containing the endclosure 46 in a manner similar to the container 20 previously described.

When'it is desired to open the end closure 46 as illustrated in 7, thefree end 73 of the tab means 53 is manually grasped and pulled away fromthe end closure 46 whereby part of the enlarged annular portion 72 ofthe tab means 53 is pulled from the slot means 54 to free the free end55 of the tear strip 48 from the wall 47 of the end closure 46.

Since the tab means 53 is permanently interconnected to the free end 55of the tear strip 48 by the portions 69 and 70 thereof, further movementof the tab means 53 away from the end closure 46 causes the tear strip48 t to pull away from the wall 47 of the end closure 46 to open thesame, the leading portion 52 of the tear strip separating :first and thecircular portions 51 being separated thereafter. p

Therefore, it can be seen that the tab means 53 of the end closure 46can be formed thereon in a relatively simple manner to not only permitthe end closure 46 to hermetically seal or vacuum package productswithin a container or the like, but also to readily permit the free end55 of the te-arstrip 48 to be separated from the end closure 46 when itis desired to open the container or the like.

Another container of this invention is illustrated in FIGURE 11 and isgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 74, the container 74comprising a substantially cylindrical container body 75 having theopposed open ends thereof closed .by end closures 76 in a manner wellknown in the art.

One of the end closures 76 has the wall 77 thereof interrupted by aplurality of openings 78 to provide means for dispensing the contents ofthe container 74 by a simple shaking motion of the container after thesame has been inverted or tilted to the desired degree.

'In order to permit the product packaged within the container 74 to behermetically sealed or vacuum packaged therein, a tab means 79 of thisinvention is disposed against the exterior surface of the wall 77 andhas portions 80 thereof disposed in the openings 78 and respecti-velyinterconnected to enlarged portions 81 disposed on the other side of thewall 77.

The tab means 79 is formed in apparatus similar to the apparatus 31 and57 previously described whereby suitable sealing means, such aspolyethylene or the like, is injected into the apparatus under severaltons of pressure to compress the portions 80 of the tab means 79 in theopenings 78 whereby the openings 78 are substantially hermeticallysealed closed.

The tab means 79 has a handle portion 82 which can be manually graspedby the ultimate consumer to peel or pull the tab means 79 from thecontainer 74 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 13 to pull the enlargedportions 81 of the tab means 79 through the openings 78 trated in FIGURE14 and is generally indicated by the reference numeral 83, the container83 comprising a substantially cylindrical container body 84, FIGURES 15and 16, having the opposed open ends thereof closed by end closures 85in a manner well known in the art.

' One end of the end closures 85, FIGURE 14, has a wall-86 provided witha plurality of pairs of adjacent elongated openings 87, each pair ofopenings 87 being separated by an intermediate portion 88 of the wall86. Preferably, the openings 88 am disposed adjacent the outerperipheral edge of the wall 86 to provide dispensing means for theproduct disposed in the container 83,

A tab means 89 is utilized to initially seal closed a res'pective pairof openings 87 and and has a handle portion 90 to permit manual graspingof the tab means 89 to peel or pull the tab means 89 from the container83 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 16 to open the selected pairofopen ings 87 As illustrated in FIGURE 15, each tab means 89 hasportions 91 respectively disposed in the adjacent openings 87 andinterconnected to anenlarged portion 92 disposed on the other side ofthe wall 86, the enlarged portion 92 extending completely across theunder surface of the intermediate portion 88 of the wall 86.

The tab means 89 is formed by apparatus similar to the apparatus 31 and57 previously described whereby suitable sealing means, such aspolyethylene or the like, is forced into the mold cavities under severaltons of pressure so that the portions 91 disposed in the openings 87substantially hermetically seal closed the openings 87 so the endclosure 85 is adapted to hermetically seal or vacuum package productswithin the container 83.

When it is desired to open the container 83, one of the tab means 89 ispulled away from the container 83 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 16whereby the intermediate portion 88 of'the wall 86 tears through theenlarged portion 92 thereof at 93 to permit the enlarged portion 92 tobe pulled from the adjacent openings 87 to open the openings 87 in themanner illustrated in FIGURE 16.

Therefore, the ultimate consumer can tear one or more tabs 89 from thecontainer 83 to provide means for dis: pensing the contents of thecontainer through the end closure 85 thereof.

While the tab 27 illustrated in FIGURE 6 has the portions 41 and 44thereof, which respectively pass through the slot 28 and opening 30 inthe tear strip 24, separated from each other, it is to be understoodthat the portions 41 and 44 of the tab 27 could be integrallyinterconnected together by a bridging portion of the sealing meansdisposed against the interior surface of the tear strip 24 and betweenthe slot 28 and aperture 36, if desired, to more firmly secure the tab27 to the tear strip 24.

In particular, reference is made to FIGURE 17 wherein the tab 27a'hasthe portions 41a and 44a, which ar exuded through the slot 28a and theaperture 30a formed in the container wall 23, integrally joined togetherby a bridging portion 94 of the sealing means whereby the tab 27a isfirmly secured to the tear portion 24 of the container wall 23 not onlyby the portions 41a and 44a thereof but also by the bridging portion 94.

The tab 27a can be readily made by the apparatus 31 illustrated inFIGURE 5 by modifying the die member 32 thereof to include a channel orrecess interconnecting the recesses 35 and 36 thereof so that thebridging portion 94 will be formed against the interior surface of thewall 23 between the slot 28a and aperture 39a.

Similarly, the portions 70 and 72 of the pull tab 53 illustrated inFIGURE 9 could be integrally joined together by a bridging portion ofthe sealing means in the above manner.

In particular, the tab means 53a, illustrated in FIG- URE 18 hasthe'portions 70a and 72a, which respectively exude through the aperture56a and slot 54a, integrally joined together by a bridging portion 95whereby the pull tab 53a is'more firmly secured to the free end 55 ofthe tear strip 48 formed in the container wall 47 of FIGURE 8.

The bridging portion 95 of the pull tab 53a illustrated in FIGURE 18 canbe readily made by the apparatus 57 illustrated in FIGURE IO bymodifying the die member 59 to include one enlarged chamber or recesshaving an outside diameter equal to the diameter defined by the recess63 whereby the individual recess 62 would be eliminated.

As previously set forth, when the various pull tabs of this inventionare formed on a tear strip provided in a circular end closure in themanner illustrated in FIGURE 8, the circular closure member 46 need notbe positioned in any particular rotational position in the die apparatusforming the pull tab 53 because the pull tab 53 can extend in anydirection from the free end 55 of the tear strip 48 to subsequently tearthe tear strip 48 from the end closure 46 in the manner previouslydescribed.

However, should the tab 53 illustrated in FIGURE 7 be disposed 180degrees from the position illustrated, the ultimate consumer may try topull the tab 53 in the wrong direction for severing the tear strip 48from the container 46.

Therefore, other embodiments'of this invention are respectivelyillustrated in FIGURES 19 and 21 and provide structures wherein theparticular end closure need not be disposed in any particular rotationalposition in the die means forming the pull tabs thereof because the pulltabs are substantially symmetrical to the respective circular endclosures.

In particular, an end closure 96 is illustrated in FIG- URES 19 and 20and comprises a substantially circular tear portion 97 defined byconcentrically disposed score lines 98 and 99, the tear portion or strip97 having a leading portion 100 arcuately curving into the center of theend closure 96 and terminating in a free end 101 defined by an arcuateslot 102 having its center superimposed on the center of the end closure96. a

The center of the free end 101 of the tear strip 97 is provided with anaperture 103 passing therethrough, the aperture 103 being located at thecenter of the end closure 96 in the same manner as the aperture 56 ofthe end closure 46 illustrated in' FIGURE 8.

The pull tab 104 of the end closure 96 is formed in substantially thesame manner previously described from suitable sealing means except thatthe pull tab 104 comprises an outer ring like structure 105concentrically disposed relative to the center of the end closure 96 Vand interconnected to a central circular portion 106 by a plurality ofradially disposed ribs 107, the central portion 106 of the pull tab 104having portions 108 and 109 respectively passing through the slot 102and the aperture 103 and joined together on the other side of the endclosure 96 by a bridging portion 110 of the sealing means. Either beforethe end closure 96 has the pull tab 104 formed thereon or thereafter,the exterior surface of the end closure 96 is suitably embossed orprinted with an indicating arrow 111 and suitable instructions 112 inthe proper position thereon so that the ultimate consumer will know justwhere to grasp the ring 105 of the pull tab 104 in order to pull thetear strip 97 from the end closure 96 when it is desired to initiallyopen the end closure 96.

Therefore, it can be seen that the tab means 104 can be formed on theend closure 96 regardless of the rotational position of the 'end closure96 in the appropriate die apparatus because the pull tab 104 issymmetrical about the free end 101 of the tear strip 97 and theinstructions 112 and the arrow 111 will indicate the proper openingprocedure of the pull tab 104. Another end closure of this invention isgenerally indicated by the reference numeral113 in FIGURES 21 and 22 andis also adapted to be disposed in any rotational position in the dieapparatus forming the pull tab means 114 thereof because the pull tabmeans 114 is substantially symmetrical relative to the center of the endclosure 113.

In particularya single circular score line 115 is formed in the wall 116of the end closure 113 and has a leading portion 117 curving inwardlyfrom the circular portion thereof and feathering into an end of anarcuate slot 118 formed in the end closure 113 and having the centerthere- .of superimposed on the center of the end closure 113, the slot118 extending for approximately 270 degrees about the center of the endclosure 113.

A plurality of circumferentially disposed apertures 119 aresymmetrically disposed about the center of the end closure 113-and aredisposed within the circle described by the slot 118 whereby the slot118 defines a free end 120 of a tear portion of the end closure 113.

The pull tab 114 is formed from suitable sealing means in the abovemanner and comprises a pair of concentrically disposed rings 121 and 122integrally joined together by radially disposed ribs 123.

When the tab means 114 is formed on the end closure 113, portions 124thereof respectively exude through the apertures 119 and a portion 125thereof exudes through the slot 118 to respectively seal closed theapertures 119 and slot 118, the portions 124 and 125 being joinedtogether on the other side of the end closure 113 by a substantiallyannular portion 126 of the sealing means.

Therefore, it can be seen that the pull tab 114 can be formed on the endclosure 113 regardless of the rotational position thereof in the dieapparatus forming the pull tab 114 because the pull tab 114 issymmetrical about the center of the end closure 113.

Either before the pull tab 114 is formed on'the end closure 113 orthereafter, the wall 116 of the end closure 113 is embossed or printedwith an arrow 127 and instructions 128 to inform the ultimate consumerwhere to grasp the pull tab 114 to readily open the end closure 113.

When it is desired to open the end closure 113, the pull tab 114 isgrasped at the arrow 127 and pulled upwardly away from the end closure113 whereby the free end 120 of the tear portion is pulled from the endclosure 113 and can be unwound therefrom around the leading portion 117of the score line 115 as is apparent.

Accordingly, it can be seen that improved containers have been providedby this invention which have improved opening means which permit theproduct to be hermetically sealed or vacuum packaged in the containerwhile still permitting the ultimate consumer to readily open the samewithout utilizing time-consuming opening devices.

Further, it can be seen that improved methods have been provided by thisinvention for making such containers or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within thescope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a container having a wall, said wall having a tearportion and having slot means therein defining a free end of said tearportion, said tear portion having an opening passing transverselytherethrough, and a sealing member disposed on one side of said wall andhaving portions thereof disposed in said slot means and said opening torespectively seal said free end of said tear portion to said wall solelyby the characteristics of said sealing member and to interconnect saidsealing member to said tear portion.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said containercomprises a cylindrical container body having an open end and an endclosure closing said end of said container body, saidend closure havingsaid wall provided with said tear portion. j

3. In combination, a container having a wall, said wall having a tearportion and having slot means therein defining a free end of said tearportion, said tear portion having an opening passing transverselytherethrough, and a tab disposed on one side of said well and havingportions thereof respectively disposed in said slot means and saidopening to respectively seal said free end of said tear portion to saidwall solely by the characteristics of said tab and to interconnect saidtab to said tear portion, said tab having a grasping end extendingbeyond said slot means.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said tear portioncomprises a continuous tear strip, and wherein said slot means extendscompletely across said tear strip.

5. In combination, a container wall blank having a tear portion andhaving slot means therein defining a free end of said tear portion, saidtear portion having an opening passing transversely therethrough, and asealing member disposed on one side of said blank and having portionsthereof disposed in said slot means and said opening to respectivelyseal said free end of said tear portion to said blank solely by thecharacteristics of said tab and to interconnect said sealing member tosaid tear portion.

6. A method for making a tear portion in a container wall or the likecomprising the steps of forming slot means in said Wall to define a freeend of said tear portion, forming an opening through said tear portion,and disposing portions of a tab respectively through said slot means toseal the free end of said tear portion to said wall and through saidopening to seal closed said opening and to interconnect said tab to saidtear portion.

7. A method for making a tear portion in a container wall or the likecomprising the steps of weakening said wall at least partially aroundthe perimeter of said tear portion, forming slot means in said wall todefine a free end of said tear portion, forming an opening through saidtear portion, and disposing portions of a tab respectively through saidslot means to seal the free end of said tear portion to said wall andthrough said opening to seal closed said opening and to interconnectsaid tab to said tear portion.

8. A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said step of forming saidopening in said tear portion includes the step of forming said openingin said free end of said tear portion.

9. A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said step of weakening saidwall defines a continuous tear portion in said wall.

10. A method for making an opening means for a container wall or thelike comprising the steps of forming an opening in said wall, andsealing closed said opening by forcing sealing means against one side ofsaid wall to cause said sealing means to form a tab on said one side ofsaid wall, fill said opening and form an enlarged portion on the otherside of said wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 496,209 4/93Reiset et al 220-54 514,025 2/94 Norton 220-54 2,029,328 2/ 36Ljungstrom 220-52 2,029,329 2/36 Ljungstrom et al. 220-52 2,224,29612/40 Hofiman. 2,753,075 7/56 Geertsen 220-54 2,870,935 1/59Houghtelling 220-53 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION, A CONTAINER HAVING A WALL, SAID WALL HAVING A TEARPORTION AND HAVING SLOT MEANS THEREIN DEFINING A FREE END OF SAID TEARPORTION, SAID TEAR PORTION HAVING AN OPENING PASSING TRANSVERSELYTHERETHROUGH, AND A SEALING MEMBER DISPOSED ON ONE SIDE OF SAID WALL ANDHAVING PORTIONS THEREO DISPOSED IN SAID SLOT MEANS AND SAID OPENING TORESPECTIVELY SEAL SAID FREE END OF SAID TEAR PORTION TO SAID WALL SOSLEYBY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SAID SEALING MEMBER AND TO INTERCONNECT SAIDSEALING MEMBER TO SAID TEAR PORTION.